History Behind Issue: This is the first issue of a six-part
mini-series. This first part stars none other than Thanos, the Mad Titan!

Plot: One of the most remarkable starts to a story!
There are no words spoken at all for the first 15 pages. A probable record in the comic
book industry in the "speaking-variety" editions. Thanos first words are,
"Im finished", talking to his glove which is in turn relaying his words to
his ship. This after having decimated the entire Ovin Mercenary armies easily defeating a
lone survivor from these armies in the beginning panels of the book. Thanos recounts his
tale upon reaching the bridge of his ship and retires to contemplate, unsatisfied that his
battle with the Ovin Mercenaries did not prove enough of a challenge for him despite them
being a supposed legendary highly skilled force. Returning to his new home, "a
nameless and unremarkable planet", he enters the mind of an automaton who is a
repository of knowledge that thinks itself a god (acquired during the Secret Defenders
#14). Penetrating his defenses with a machine link up, Thanos faces his defenses in
another plane and defeats them. Defeated, Thanos has all its stored information downloaded
into his computer and it attempts to scan for something that might interest Thanos
current situation.

He is enlightened to a tale of "a new being
called Tyrant who held vast empires, but met resistance with a race of women warriors
called the Spinsterhood. Though they thought they drove him back, in truth, it was the
World Devourer, Galactus who halted and generated this creatures downfall. Recently,
Tyrant had returned from exile and faced the Silver Surfer, Gladiator, Terrax, Morg, Beta
Ray Bill, Jack of Hearts and a Spinster. All fell to him easily. Galactus became involved
and the others were able to leave. Morg was retained as a hostage and Tyrant absorbed and
stored a great amount of Power Cosmic from him. An uneasy stalemate was created between
Galactus and Tyrant. And so it remained."

Upon reflection, Thanos decided to obtain more
information from those that had faced Tyrant. He departs immediately choosing Terrax due
to his lust for power  making him easily exploitable. And so the adventure
begins

Comments:

Writing: 10 The story starts out fantastically, half
the book conveyed in images of what is happening versus talking. As good continual
development after Thanos Quest, Infinity Gauntlet/War/Crusade and Secret Defenders, Thanos
is bored and seeking a challenge. After having been unable to satisfy himself by defeating
and destroying an entire army of warriors, he sets off to find a new challenge and then
subsequently begins planning his moves in his new and ambitious quest. A must have for
Thanos lovers who enjoy great characterization, as well as Thanos demolishing anything in
his way to achieve his desires.

Art: 10 Ron Lim does a masterful job highlighting the information
they want to convey without using words. He makes the cliché come to life (a picture
speaks 1000 words) on virtually each frame he draws. Thanos is additionally drawn
fantastically, both within the battles, and during his moments of contemplation. The
colorist deserves the additional praise for a fantastic job.

Overall score: 10 An overall fantastic beginning from any and all
sides.

This webpage was designed by James Pedrick. For more
information on this website, e-mail marvelite@aol.com.
This site is in no way related to or associated with Marvel Comics.
Characters are property of Marvel Comics and used without permission. Contact Marvel
Comics at marvelmail@aol.com